Gun package



Jan. 10, 1950 R. H. cocKs ET AL 2,493,945

GUN PACKAGE Filed May 15, 1944 3 sheets-sheet 1 PMOCAS f PQSWM IN V EN TORS ATTORNEY Jan. 10, 1950 R. H. cocKs ET AL GUN PACKAGE 5 SheetsSheet 2 Filed May 15, 1944 IN V EN TOR5 AT TOR/YE Y Jan. 10, 1950 R. H. cocKs ET l- \L GUN PACKAGE 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed May 15, 1944 PQ/iCocsg'RG 5M1 IN V EN TORS ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 10,1950

greases ooNrAonnon I .nusseun. roqcksrrmn Bath, :and 'flnbentiGm rsmitinchcs Angeles, Califimassi nurs ital-Douglas is fi i mhmn u swntaiM nic al Application Ma ne, 1944;}Sterialll0. 5353723 Bhis invention relates .to anarmamentderiiee for aircraft and more particularly toaa gun paok .agezforssuspension from the bomb rackaof an aii'ncraft interchangeably :with the bombs which are inormally suspended firom the bomb raok.

It 'isat .times. tactically-desirable toincBease the gun. armament of combat planes-having ibombing equipment even though the :bombing capacity of the airplane :be temporarily and :either partially for :entire'ly sacrificed.

It is therefore an -object of this --invention to provide a gun armament which interchange able with the bomb load =normally suspended 'ifIOm the :plane.

It :is also a further-objectof-the invention to provide gun armament which-may be readily :added :to=a bom'ber or #fighter plane for increasing iits fighting strength.

. It is an additional objectofthe-inventionto provide a gun package for suspension from an airplane wing or other part of an airplane-or other aircraft capable-of being readily attached -to or detached from the aircraft exteriorly of the aircrait structure and exposed to the surrounding air stream, which will add a minimum drag :to the plane.

:It is another'object of the invention toqprovi-de such agun package which shall-simulate abornb and thereby deceive an enemy by leading him to underestimate the gun equipment oftheplane. In the case of dive bombers, ground forces may :believe, as the plane-approaches them; that the bombs failed of release and consequently "be un- :prepared for the machinegun fire from the gun pa-ckages carried by the-plane;

It is another object of the invention to provide a gun package of sturdy construction convenient for the accommodation of- -ma c'hine and their accessory devices.

it is still another object of the invention ito :provide an-efiicient and compactarrangement'm" the gun and its accessories -within the chamber of the gun package.

The invention is broadly applicable wherever it is desirable tosuspend one or more guns '.fr0 m a plane in a position exteriorly -of the plane and within the air stream.

Further objects and features --ofthe--i-nvention 'will hereinafter appear i-n-the following descrip- ;ti on..and illustrative drawings.

One embodiment of the invention is shown in .the drawings and :described: below; although the invention is not confined to this embodiment but has the scopeof the claims which aiollow. ithe description.

In the drawings:

1 .Eigure 1 is aperspectivesutility .view-of the gun package of the invention. .showm -gnarts. of. an airplane including. one. of the wingstthereof showing the gunpadkage suspended position below the wing;

Figure 2 is a plan view of thegun package and contents,- the package walls and ir-aiming being shown in horizontal section and the-guns being omitted for clarity;

Ei'gurea -is--a vertical longitudinal-sectional view of *thegun pack-age showing the contents ofthe package in side elevation;

figure 4 is a -vertical 'cross section of the package' talren along the-line M4 or Figure 3, certain parts-being omitted;

Figure -5 =is=a-vertical cross section of *the'paclcage taken along the line 5-5 of Figure 3, certain par-ts being omitted";

Fig ure6 is a vertical cross -seetion-of-the package takenia-long the line $6 -of Figure -3, certain parts bei'ng omitted, and

Figure "7 -is-a wiring. diagram .of the-electric circuit *-for the operation of the-guns.

Referring-to Figure 1, an-airplane *I 'O is shown *wit-h awing I2 and wing mounted landing-gear W4 'A gun packagel-s' is' suspended from a b'omb rack F8 on the under :sideof'the wing. Sway braces *Z-ilbetween-the bom'b rack and package prevent lateral swinging of the gun package with respect tmthe *bomb'rack; barrels 22 --a nd"the-gun barrel jackets 'Z'areshown projecting through circular apertures at in =thefront wall of the gun package; The gun package is interchangeable with bombs and due to' its'shape is aerodynamica'll y clean, offering aminimum of drag". Referring to Figures 2' and 3-gun= package It comprises ashell" 28'and-an internalframe structure for strengthening the shell a-ndmounting two guns and the gun accessories. The'she'll n is made -of relatively thin-sheet metal. It :cormpletelyencloses the frame-structure; the-guns and accessories, with theexception of the firing apertures 26, and an aperture 30 in the bottom 'wall. of 'the gunpackage for the ejectionof the cartridge:belt.links-andgcartridge cases outiofrthe shell. .Sllhis shell is:.preferably:inlthegeneralgfonm of. a; bomb, zbDlih :rbecause lbqmbs. have :an tanner dynamically-correct. contour, and because the o b z llan e ive ;e e a ma mmnr prepared for machine gun action.

Thesiun package .is provided with. a forward bulkhead .32 f and arear bulkheadfid, each located a relativelyshort distance .from .theadjacent and pf'the shell. Betweenthesebulkheads 3L2 and'M the shell comprises four longitudinally extending'sections, atop section 86, a bottom-section 38f, andrightand left-hand doorst0 and '42. The top and'bottom sections areeach strengthened .byadditional-inner=wal1s 44* and 4 6-which are irigidly connected. to the adjacent outer wall-of :theshall by: av .pluralityof transversely arranged .channel shaped z;plate.s $8.. YIihe. doorsimcand: #2 may be1connected:torthewtopwand L-bottom sections .36 (and 38.;in any suitable (manner, whichewill permitthem to be opened for access to the guns and the gun accessories. As shown in the drawings, each door has along both its top and bottom edges hinge sleeves 50 which may be axially aligned with similar hinge sleeves on the edges of the top and bottom sections 36 and 38 for the insertion of hinge pins l this arrangement making it possible to hinge either door to the top or bottom section of the shell for outward opening movement, the hinge pin at the other edge of the door then acting as a fastener when inserted in its corresponding hinge pin sleeves. This arrangement makes it also possible to remove the doors altogether from the shell when such a disposition is desirable for access to the interior of the shell for repair work, loading operations, removing the guns, and the like.

Central vertical partition wall 52 extends forwardly from the rear bulkhead 34 to a station spaced from the front bulkhead 32 sufficiently to provide for disposition of the ammunition chutes as will be later explained. A horizontal post 54 disposed axially of the gun package extends from the forward bulkhead 32 to the center of the nose portion 56 of the shell, being firmly secured. to

both the bulkhead and nose portion, and extending rearwardly into the central chamber of the shell a relatively short distance. The inner end of this post is formed with eye 58 in the horizontal bore of which is held the central pin 60 of a bracket support 62. This bracket support 62 exsighting of the gun, that is, for adjusting the gun 1 both in elevation and in azimuth. This mount includes a transversely extending slotted member ,9l, secured to the shell of the package; a plate or slide 92 seated into the slot and adapted for transverse movement; a threaded bolt 93 extending vertically through the slide and having its head lying therebelow in contact therewith, and having its upper end secured in a nut 94 fixed to the butt end of the gun; and an adjuster nut 95 mounted on the threads of the bolt. By loosening nut 95 from contact with the slide and turning the nut 94 and the bolt in the clockwise direction, the line of fire of the gun may be elevated; contrary operation of these parts will depress the line of fire. With the slide loosened, adjusting same to the right will shift the line of fire of the gun to the left; and vice versa. The recoil shock is transmitted through the adapters, the posts 54, and the arch shaped nose 56 to the median portion of the shell and then to the bomb rack.

A seal assembly 21 consisting of a metal collar and appropriately heavy sealing gaskets of material such as synthetic rubber, is fitted over the barrel jacket 24, before the gun is installed and is held in place between the forward bulkhead 32 and the recoil adapter 66. The pressure thus exerted upon the gasket between the forward face of the collar and the bulkhead and rear face of the collar and the recoil adapter forms a seal against rain and low temperature air entering the package through the apertures 26, thus preventing possible faulty operation of the gun mechanism from this cause. The guns may be completely field serviced without removal from the shell.

A pair of ammunition horizontal alignment in the rearward portion of the shell chamber extending from the rear bulkhead 34 to a horizontal station just to the rear of the rear ends of the machine guns and are secured in position by any suitable means to prevent movement within the shell. Each ammunition box is longitudinally aligned with one of the machine guns and the two ammunition boxes are separated by the central partition wall 52.

A booster motor 94 drives cog wheels engaging the loaded ammunition belt in each ammunition box and aids the movement of the ammunition belt through the chutes, thus relieving the load on the firing mechanism of the guns. The booster motor is preferably mounted on and becomes a permanent part of each ammunition box.

Ammunition from each ammunition box is fed to the machine gun in front of it by means of the usual cartridge belt which travels in the corresponding one of two ammunition chutes 16. The chutes are of the flexible type. Each chute is secured at its rear and to the forward upper edge of its corresponding ammunition box and extends forwardly along the top of the associated gun, thence in a curved path across the top of the forward portions of both guns, and in front of the forward end of the vertical partition 52, then down the outer side of the forward portion of the other gun, then across and below both guns and upwardly on the outer side of the forward portion of its associated gun to the feed-way thereof. The interior chamber of the shell is sufficiently large in cross sectional area to accommodate both the machine guns in the ammunition chutes. The forward end of each ammunition chute is secured to its machine gun detachably by a fastening pin 18. The arrangement of the chutes by which each is disposed at its forward end in a path which crosses over and then under both of the guns, makes possible conformance of the chute by reason of its flexibility to the limited space available for its disposition, and yet provides path curves of sufficient radii to prevent jamming of the belt in the chute. Each chute recoils with its gun casing.

The barrels 22 and barrel jackets 24 of the guns project through suitable apertures in the forward bulkhead 32 and through the circular apertures 26 in the nose of the shell, each of the latter apertures being spaced laterally from the center point of the nose 56 of the shell on opposite sides thereof but on the same horizontal line. The. empty cartridge cases of both guns are ejected into a bifurcated chute 89 located in front of the forward end of the partition 52 and the disintegrated links of the cartridge belts are ejected into chutes 82. The chute 80 and chutes 82 of each gun lead to an opening 30 in the bottom section 38 of the shell through which they pass from the gun package into the air. Each gun is provided with a deflector plate 8| to stop the forward movement of the empty cartridge cases in their path as they are discharged from the gun permitting them to drop into the mouth of the chute 80.

The outer wall of the top section 36 of the shell is providedmedianly of the ends of the shell with a reinforcing plate 84. This plate has secured to it a pair of lugs 86 formed to engage in the usual manner with the supporting device of the bomb rack l8 onthe plane. An additional lug 88 disposed between the lugs 86 is provided for use in boxes 14 are arranged in r AQMM hoi ting. he unra kae t xr s n :u e wing 411. other part-of theairplane inpreparation .for securement to the bomb rack. The sway braces 2|] of the bomb rack aresuitably secured to ,otherlugs (see Figure arranged .in suitable. positions .upon the reinforced ;p ate 84.

7 Electrical power for operation of the gun and ammunition, booster is provided through. electric conductor wires'leading from the cockpit or other suitable control'position on the plane to an outlet on the plane adjacent the gun package. "From this outle't a detachable conductor cable carries 'cnrrentto an outlet 90 secured to the shell of the gun package. The plugs connecting the conductor-cable to the gun package permit auto,- mat-ic disconnection if' the package is jettisoned. From this outlet suitably arrangedconductors lead to the machine'gun and booster motors.

- 'ZEigure'T shows the wiring diagram 'orthese conductors A firingkey 96-f0r controlling the operation of the'guns is located in the cockpit-or ingthmpackage gunners compartment in the airplane.- FIheifiring key is located in the grounded sideotaafiring circuit 91 supplied with-current irom an appropriate source located in theairplane and lying :to .the.:right.in Figure '1; In-the lead-out of, this circuit ;there .is .a :firing relay .9.9,;asshown. :In conduotorzflsleading from the relay-is av normally open gun safety switch llltl', located adjacent the gunners station. switchiis closed, current .passes -.to agrounded outletA-M on the .wing skin or'the like, adjacentthe gun.,-package. From this outlet, the current is .led to a detachable conductor cable -.l02,,-shown interposed between the wing outlet and-a. member $10. Themember 90 .isaninlet plug fixed to the exterior of .the gun package. From this plug, the circuit continues .to a terminal strip l03.. "Ahead of the terminal strip, however, current .is-shunted to the inlet side of right-hand .and left-hand boostermotors Hi4 and H15, respectively,..the.outlet-sides of .these motors beingreturn-connected to the terminal strip. .Ahead'. of this shunt,. cur,- rent is also shunted to gun-firing solenoids 106 and -i0lrespectively, shown to the extreme "leit iii-Figure '7; and thence to ground; The gun-. firing solenoids are standard equipment and are located on or adjacent the respective guns and operateonly when the firingkey is closed. Similarly,--the booster motors-also operate only when the firing key is closed. If desired-gun charger solenoids Hi8 and 1'09, shown physically interposed between the booster motors, may be provided and connected electrically to the terminal strip. They have their armatures mechanically connected to "the respective gun charger handles, the coils of the solenoids being respectively grounded-as shown. While the gun in the particular embodiment of the invention herein shown andwdescribed is electricallyoperated, it is, otcourse, apparent that it may be operated by mechanical or other means with-a suitable detachable connection between the plane-iandrgun package for transmission of the energy required for the operation of the gun. The electrical operating means serve to .fire the guns simultaneouslyy Theimanner of .useofthe gun rpackageisi apparent from the abovedescription. Under lsome circumstances-itmaybe advisable to jettison the gun package, which may be readily accomplished by operating the bomb rack to releaseth'e gun package in the same manner 'as that'employedfor the release of bombs.

W's-claim: V

1. A gun package, comprising: a shellformed in theshape of an-aircraft bomb; means in said shell for supporting at least one machine-gummcluding the recoil mount thereof, near one end of the shell-chamber, the shell having anaperturedn said and aligned. axially with the barrel .of said gun; means in said shell for supporting an am.- munitionbox for said gun at the other end "of said. shell .chamber, the interior chamber ofsaid shell laterally aligned with the gun being--oi suflicient cross sectional area to accommodate the gun and. an ammunition chuteleading from said ammunition box .to the gun feed opening; remotely controllable means in said shell for op erating the gun; and package-mounting means onthe topof said shell.

2. Agun package, comprising: a shell formed in .a shape similar to an aerial bomb; a pair of horizontally aligned-means in said shell :for mounting a pair respectively of horizontally aligned machine guns including the recoil mount thereof, near one end of the shell chamber, the shell having a pair of apertures in .said end axially aligned with .the gun barrels respectively;

avypair of horizontally aligned means in; said shell ifor supporting a pair of horizontallyalignad ammunition boxes respectively for saidgunslnear the-other end of said shell, chamber, the chamber of said shell laterally aligned with-:the guns the,- ing of. sufiicient cross sectional area to :accommodate the guns and an ammunition chute for eachiggun leading, from a corresponding one-of said ammunition boxes to the feed opening lei anorresponding one of said guns; remotely con.-

trollablemeans in, said shell for operating the guns; and securing means .on the top of .said shell. 1 I

.3. The combination definedinclaim 2, in which the;.shell has a bulkhead near each end .thereofi, and has double Walled top and bottom portions hetweensaid bulkheads, the two walls of each of .said portions being. reenforcingly secured by, a- ,plurality of transversely .arranged vertical plates, in which ,the gun mounting means in; cludesa horizontal .bar secured to one bulkhead and to the ,aper-turecl end oi the shell .in the central vertical plane .of theshell, said bar proe jecting -.to the ,rear oi said one bulkhead; and which-includes a bracket secured to the rear end. of saidbar andextendinghorizontally.in opposite directions for the support ,of the r'ecoil'imou'nt's respectively .of .the guns, and ,in which the side portions of said shell betweensaid' bulkheads and between said double walled portions are out-I wardly movable doors for access to said guns andammuniti'onfboxes.

4. The combination defined in claim'2, 'inLwliili the shell has a bulkhead near each end thereof; and has double walled top and bottom portions between said bulkheads; 'the'wa'lls of saidportions being 'reenforcingly'secured' by'--a plurality of transversely arranged verticalplates; and in which "the gun mounting means includesa "horizcntal'bar secured to "one bulkhead and to the aperturedendof the shell inthe-central vertical plane-of the-shell, said bar projecting to the rear (if-saidone bulkhead; and whichin'cludes'a brack etsecured to the-rear end of'said bar and-extend ing' horizontally "in opposite directions for -'the support of 1 the recoil *mounts respectively of th er guns; andin whichfithe side portions of said" shell between said bulkheads a-nd-- be'twe'en .saidj double walled portions are-outwardly-uifovable doors for access to said guns and ammunition boxes, and in which a central verticalpartition wall extends longitudinally of the shell between the bulkheads dividing the shell chamber into two gun chambers.

'5. In an armament device for an airplane, the combination of: a shell formed in a shape similar to an aerial bomb; lugs on the top of the shell formed for engagement with the bomb, or other article securing devices of an airplane; a pair of ma'chine guns mounted in horizontal alignment in said shell near one end thereof, one end of said shell being suitably apertured in axial alignment with each gun barrel; a pair of am munition boxes held in horizontal alignment in said shell near the other end thereof and in longitudinal alignment with said guns respectively; and a pair of flexible ammunition chutes, each extending forwardly from one of said boxes along the top of one gun, thence in a curved path across the top of both guns, down the outer side of the forward portion of the other gun, across and below both guns and upwardly on the outer side of the forward portion of said one gun to the feedway thereof.

' 6. The combination defined in claim 5, and in addition thereto: a chute for empty cartridge cases from the ejector opening of the gun and a cartridge belt link chute from the gun, both leading to the bottom Wall of the shell, said bottom wall being suitably apertured for discharge from said chutes of said cases and links from the device.

'7. In combination with an airplane: a hollow container of good aerodynamic contour; a gun mounted within the container; an ammunition box mounted within the container; means within the container for feedin ammunition from the box to the gun; means within the container for operating said feeding means and firing the gun, the container enclosing and protecting the gun, box, ieeding means, and operating means; fastening means on said container for engagement with suspension means on the exterior or" the airplane for mounting the container; and an energy carrying circuit connecting the container and airplane for actuating said operating means.

8. A gun package, comprising: a shell including means for disengageably engaging same with a support; means for mounting a gun therein; means at one end of said shell for receiving one end of said gun therethrough; means associated at said end with said gun mounting means for absorbing firing recoil; means at the other end of said shell for containing a supply of ammunition; means for guiding ammunition from said supply to said gun; means for operating the gun; and means for conducting cartridge cases and links ejected from said gun outwardly of said shell.

9. A gun package, comprising: a shell including means for disengageably engaging same with a support, said shell having an aperture in one end; means in said shell for supporting a gun with one end in coaxial alignment with said aperture; means in said shell adjacent the other end of said gun for supporting an ammunition supply therefor; means in said shell for guiding ammunition from said supply to said gun; means in said shell for, operating said gun; means leading outwardly of said shell for disposing of cartridge cases and links ejected from said gun; and means forming a part of said shell for providing access to the interior of said shell.

10. A gun package, comprising: a shell including means for disengageably engaging same with a support, said shell having an aperture in one end; means in said shell for supporting a gun with one end in coaxial alignment with said aperture; means in said gun-supporting means for varying the azimuth and elevation of said gun; means in said shell adjacent the other end of said gun for supporting an ammunition supply therefor; means in said shell for guiding ammunition from said supply to said gun; means in said shell for operating said gun; means leading outwardly of said shell for disposing of cartridge cases and links ejected from said gun; and means forming a part of said shell for providing access to the interior of said shell.

11. A gun package, comprising: a shell including means for disengageably engaging same with a support, said shell having an aperture in one end; means in said shell for supporting a gunwith one end in coaxial alignment with said aperture; means associated with said gun-supporting means for absorbing the gun recoil; means interposed between said recoil absorbing means and the periphery of said aperture for sealing said aperture; means in said shell adjacent the other end of said gun for supporting an ammunition supply therefor; means in said shell for guiding ammu nition from said supply to said gun; means in said shell for operating said gun; means leading outwardly of said shell for disposing of cartridge cases and links ejected from said gun; and means forming a part of said shell and providing access to the interior of said shell.

12. A gun package, comprising: a shell includ ing means for disengageably engaging same with a support, said shell having an aperture in one end; means in said shell for supporting a gun with one end in coaxial alignment with said aperture; means adjacent the other end of said gun for supporting an ammunition supply therefor; meansin said shell for guiding ammunition from said supply to said gun; means for positively onwardly urging the ammunition in said guiding means; means in said shell for operating said gun; means leading outwardly of said shell for disposing of cartridge cases and links ejected from said gun; and means forming a part of said shell for providing access to the interior of said shell.

RUSSELL H. COCKS. ROBERT G. SMITH.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS OTHER REFERENCES Flight, July 1, 1943, page 11. Flight, Jan. 6, 1944, page 11. 

